Independent Patient Safety Council Project on Open Disclosure in Healthcare Policy

Tender description

The Minister for Health has requested the Independent Patient Safety Council to undertake an examination of open disclosure policy in healthcare at national and international level and make recommendations in relation to the development of a National Policy Framework for Open Disclosure in Healthcare. The National Policy Framework for Open Disclosure in Healthcare will provide a flexible framework designed to be used by health service organisations in all settings and sectors when developing or amending policies and procedures for open disclosure. Organisations can then develop open disclosure policies and procedures that are aligned to the framework whilst tailored to local needs and resources, and the relevant legal, regulatory, institutional and cultural contexts. Regulators can develop codes of practice and standards to meet regulatory and legislative requirements that are aligned to the policy framework. Open disclosure in the context of Irish healthcare is the term that has been adopted in Ireland to describe the broad processes which relate to patients being informed of patient safety incidents which arose in relation to the healthcare which they have received. Other terms are in use in other jurisdictions, for example the terms “Duty of Candour”, “being open” and "open communication". The purpose of this tender is to: a) Conduct literature review, undertake consultation with key stakeholders and prepare a report for the Independent Patient Safety Council of research findings regarding a coherent approach to open disclosure in healthcare in Ireland and how it can be ensured it is effectively implemented and embedded in Irish health services, and, b) Support the Council to produce recommendations on principles, approaches and the implementation of open disclosure.